Climate

New report maps widespread criminal presence across six Amazonian countries

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 27/10/2026, 22:54:24 UTC.

Briefings

A 2026 report by Amazon Underworld and International Crisis Group identifies criminal networks operating in 59% of 1,310 Amazonian municipalities across six countries. Colombia leads with 98% affected municipalities, followed by Venezuela at 82%. The report highlights that gold mining has surpassed cocaine as the most lucrative industry, driving environmental destruction and violence against Indigenous communities. Humanitarian Action estimates 78% of rural populations live under the influence of armed groups.

Key points

• Colombia has the highest proportion of affected municipalities at 98% among the six surveyed countries.
• Gold mining has overtaken cocaine as the most lucrative criminal industry in the Amazon region.

Context

The findings come from a 2026 mapping initiative by Amazon Underworld and International Crisis Group covering Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. The report details how armed groups and criminal networks operate in nearly three-fifths of Amazonian municipalities, with specific data on gold mining's rise and its environmental impacts.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to the six specific countries surveyed and the 1,310 municipalities examined. The report relies on Humanitarian Action data for population estimates and includes quotes from an author, but specific author names and direct quotes are not fully attributed in the provided text. Some details regarding specific group names and operational timelines are inferred from the text rather than explicitly stated.

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